Closing Out the Season: Winning the French Creek Racing Fall SwimFest 5k at Hopewell Lake
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Last Sunday, I wrapped up my open water season with one of my favorite events – the 5K at Hopewell Lake in French Creek State Park, hosted by French Creek Racing. This race has become an annual hometown tradition, just 20 minutes from the town I grew up in, and this year’s performance made it even more memorable.
Can You Swim in Hopewell Lake?
Yes — swimming in Hopewell Lake is absolutely allowed, and it’s one of the most scenic open water venues in Southeastern Pennsylvania. During the summer, French Creek State Park permits open water swimming only during organized events or training sessions held by French Creek Racing, which ensures safety and structure for all athletes.
Hopewell Lake features clean, calm water surrounded by forested trails — an ideal setting for triathletes, open water swimmers, and anyone looking to experience open water swimming in a safe, well-managed environment.
Race Recap: A Perfect Day for a 5K
This was my third consecutive year racing the Hopewell Lake 5K, and conditions were perfect. Both air and water temperatures held steady at 71°F (21°C) under bright fall sunshine — a far cry from previous years, when the water dipped as low as 60°F (16°C).
The course consisted of three 1500-meter loops, and I felt strong from start to finish, earning a two-minute personal best and taking 1st place overall in 1:11:00
Every loop required focus — managing pacing, sighting efficiently, and staying mentally sharp through all 5000 meters.
What Makes French Creek Racing Special
If you’re looking for a reliable way to train or race in open water, French Creek Racing is one of the best-run organizations on the East Coast. They host events throughout the season, including French Creek Racing open water swims, triathlon prep races, and group swim training sessions.
Their races combine professional organization with a community atmosphere — perfect for swimmers of all levels. Whether you’re new to open water or chasing your next PR, the French Creek Racing team provides excellent safety support, timing, and post-race hospitality.
Lessons from the 2025 Open Water Season
Each season brings new lessons. This year, I focused on refining my stroke tempo, high elbow catch, and race pacing — small improvements that added up to a faster result.
More importantly, open water swimming reminds me that performance isn’t just about fitness — it’s about focus. Learning how to adapt to different water conditions, manage effort, and stay calm under fatigue is what separates strong swimmers from great ones.
What’s Next: Back to the Pool
With the open water season complete, it’s time to shift gears. My focus now moves toward speed development and power training as we head into the indoor pool season.
Shorter intervals, explosive starts, and technical refinement will take center stage — all designed to carry the endurance gains from open water into faster pool swims this winter, beginning with Annual Dr. Bill Ross Memorial Masters Swim Meet on Sunday, November 23 at Nassau County Aquatic Center on Long Island
Thank You to the Team Behind the Scenes
A huge thanks to John Kenny and French Creek Racing for another outstanding event, and to the volunteers who make these races possible.
Special gratitude to my dad for capturing great race photos, and to my family for cheering me on from the shore — your support makes all the difference.
Key Takeaways
Yes, you can swim in Hopewell Lake — during permitted open water events.
French Creek Racing runs safe, well-organized races for all levels.
Consistency and small technical improvements lead to major progress.
Transitioning from open water to pool season is the perfect time to focus on speed.
Take your off-season training to the next level with Train Daly Dryland Programs – built by Coach Dan Daly, CSCS, to help swimmers build strength, mobility, and power that translate directly into faster swimming.
